For Wednesday’s first call, we look at Doug Whaley’s comments on Ben Roethlisberger’s future with the Steelers.
There are many Steelers on a historic black colleges and university list. Bruce Boudreau may want to start coaching again. A former Penguin is getting back into gear.
And Tiger Woods was apparently on his way to meet some notable NFL backs before his car accident.
Whaley’s words
If you believe that Ben Roethlisberger’s agent Ryan Tollner – and it seems that the NFL network does – Ben Roethlisberger will return as Steelers quarterback next year.
Ben Roethlisberger will indeed be back as the # Steelers start QB this fall. Just connected with the two-time agent of the Super Bowl winner, Ryan Tollner, who said it: pic.twitter.com/YnWRWwkbeM
– Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) 23 February 2021
As I wrote recently, I always felt that Kevin Colbert’s “As We Sit Here Today, He’s a Member of the Pittsburgh Steelers” quote was more ominous in print than it sounded on tape.
I said at the time of commenting on WDVE that I am 60% in favor of the belief that Roethlisberger would return to the team in 2021. Now I feel even better about the prediction.
Note, I said I ‘feel better about the prediction.’ Not feeling so good about the news.
I think the best thing for the Steelers is to cut Roethlisberger and continue with their rebuilding efforts. You will now also get a full year of Mason Rudolph to prove you right or wrong. Or you can set up a quarter in the first round if one is available.
But it’s just me.
Actually, it is not. Doug Whaley said the same thing this week on 93.7 The Fan.
The former general manager of Buffalo Bills and former personnel coordinator of Steelers also puts the chance that a return from Roethlisberger will remain at ‘60%, 40% he will. ‘
And he agrees with my view of the prospect of revising Roethlisberger’s contract to keep him for another year.
‘Yes. The Steelers can cut Roethlisberger. The Steelers were here before him. And they will be here when he’s gone, ‘Whaley told the PM Team on Monday.
“I personally, I would say, ‘Thank you Ben, you are the best, we will not have two Super Bowl trophies without you, you will be a first vote Hall of Famer, we play in the Hall of Fame game when you are inaugurated, we will put you on the wall again, but thank you for your service, we will have to go in a different direction for both of us. ”
I could no longer agree.
Whether Big Ben returns next year or not, I do not see the Steelers as a playoff team. And I certainly do not see them as a Super Bowl contender. Another season returning with Roethlisberger therefore just feels like postponing the inevitable change at quarterback and replacing the desire for a smooth retirement for Roethlisberger as best for the long-term interests of the franchise.
Elsewhere in ‘First Call’ …
Steelers’ standouts
In honor of Black History Month, Touchdown Wire has compiled a list of the best players from HBCUs – or historically black colleges and universities – in football history.
As anyone who knows the history of the steel curtain can tell you, Hall of Fame scout Bill Nunn famously worked on the uncooled talent of those schools to build the Super Steelers of that decade. It is therefore no surprise to see many of the players on the list.
As well as one superstar from the nineties.
Will Bruce be back?
‘Buffalo Bruce’ Boudreau has always been a favorite target of Penguins fans when he was the head coach of the Washington Capitals.
He was eventually fired after five years. He was also appointed and fired in Anaheim within five years. Then after four years with the Minnesota Wild.
Now, The Athletic says he may be interested in returning to the league with the Seattle Kraken expansion.
Getting started
Former Penguin Alex Galchenyuk is in another squad, his third since leaving the Penguins last February. He is now with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has not practiced since he was traded in Ottawa on February 15th. But now looks ready to skate.
More details
We find out more about the car accident that injured Tiger Woods. ESPN’s Shelly Smith reports that Woods was on his way to meet NFL fullback Drew Brees and Justin Herbert for a scheduled photo shoot when the crash occurred.
Tim Benz is a staff writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets can be re-posted. Unless otherwise stated, all emails are subject to publication.
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Sport | Steelers / NFL | Breakfast with Benz